NursingCAS: The Gateway to Your Graduate Nursing Education

Do you wish there was an easier way to research several nursing schools at once that offer graduate level programs? Are you tired of Googling terms like 'MSN' and wading through pages of search results?

Do you wish there was an easier way to research several nursing schools at once that offer graduate level programs? Are you tired of Googling terms like “MSN” and wading through pages of search results? An online resource exists that makes it easier to access information about multiple schools using a single Website. NursingCAS is the online, centralized application service for nursing launched by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in 2010. NursingCAS partners with participating schools to provide a common online application for students wishing to apply to multiple schools of nursing.

This all inclusive resource provides information about over 100 nursing programs throughout the country and links directly to each participating school’s Web site providing you with a quick, direct pathway to even more information on schools you may be interested in.

You can use NursingCAS to research and apply to participating graduate level nursing programs of your choice. The search tool allows you to filter by school name, degree program type, specialty track, state, delivery (for example if the school offers online programs), and zip code radius. NursingCAS displays basic program requirements for each school such as if it requires reference letters and/or a personal statement and also displays program deadlines.

The purpose of NursingCAS is to help direct prospective students to available seats in nursing programs and streamline the admissions process for both applicants and schools. Filling all available seats in our nation's nursing schools is critical to addressing the nursing shortage and meeting the demand for nurses. AACN also seeks to promote academic progression and provide resources to assist prospective students that are considering applying to a graduate level nursing program.

NursingCAS is similar to services in place for medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and other health professions. Students pay a nominal fee to use this service per each school he or she applies to, and at the same time reduces the burden of applying to multiple schools by eliminating the need for duplicate application data, letters of reference, transcripts, and other admissions materials.

Students are able to use their same online application and supporting documents to apply to multiple graduate programs via NursingCAS. You can submit up to six letters of reference, unlimited personal statements, five documents such as your resume, transcripts, RN licensure and certification information, and additional information about your professional experience, education, and accomplishments.

Students can also check the status of their application and materials in real time by logging in online or via their smartphone using the mobile portal app. There is also dedicated customer service support available throughout the application process to answer your questions. You can post questions to the NursingCAS Facebook and Twitter pages as well and watch short, how to videos on the NursingCAS YouTube channel. NursingCAS also offers an online checklist, FAQs, instructions, and validation rules to help you successfully complete the application process.

NursingCAS is a valuable resource for schools as well by providing efficient application processing and a web-based admissions software that schools can use to manage their application pipeline. Based on the data students enter into their application, NursingCAS checks and verifies that information against the applicant’s official transcripts, and the software calculates a number of GPAs the schools can use in its admissions decisions.

Want to find out more about NursingCAS? Prospective student are encouraged to create a free account and use the service to do your research at no cost to you, until you begin applying to schools of nursing. Visit www.nursingcas.org for more information and to create your free account.